The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) has inducted 12 additional fellows into its Report Women Network (REWON) under the Female Reporters Leadership Programme (FRLP), as part of continuous efforts to promote gender balance in newsroom leadership and address the silence around accurate reporting of women and girls.

Speaking at the induction ceremony held at Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State, the Executive Director of WSCIJ, Mrs. Motunrayo Alaka, explained that the fellowship, which began in 2014 as a push for more and better coverage of women’s issues, has evolved into a movement championing female representation in leadership roles.

“Through Report Women! and its Female Reporters Leadership Programme (FRLP), we have shown that democracy is stronger and governance is better when women’s voices are amplified.

“The sixth cohort of FRLP Fellows proves this point. With courage, leadership, and uncommon storytelling, they have exposed hidden truths. Their works affirm a simple truth: democracy thrives where silence is broken, and accountability is demanded.

“With today’s inductees, Report Women now counts 98 Fellows whose works have impacted more than 2,930 indirect beneficiaries. The Report Women Network (REWON) is indeed becoming a formidable force for accountability and inclusion,” she said.

Alaka stressed that women’s participation in decision-making should not be seen as a gift but as a right. She urged the new fellows to reimagine journalism as a tool for accountability, democracy, and justice, while also challenging practices that undermine women.

She also appreciated the donors and partners of the initiative, including the Gates Foundation, Open Society Foundation, Netherlands Embassy, Free Press Unlimited, and renowned editors across Nigeria who served as mentors.

Delivering his goodwill message, the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lagos, Michel Deelen, highlighted the crucial role of investigative journalism in exposing hidden truths of public interest.

He noted that although investigative journalism often runs against the interests of certain individuals in society, the positive change it brings cannot be overemphasized. Congratulating the new fellows, Deelen emphasized the need for greater support for women in journalism, pointing out that women tend to notice details men might ordinarily overlook.

Veteran broadcaster and Executive Director of Strictly Speaking, Bimbo Oloyede, encouraged the fellows to support one another, keep learning, and continue collaborating if they intend to go far in journalism.

Other mentors, including Premium Times Managing Editor, Idris Akinbajo; the immediate past Director of News and Editor-in-Chief of TVC News, Stella Din-Jacob; and Julianah Francis, Publisher of Security News, also charged the fellows to apply the knowledge gained beyond the fellowship and to remain in touch with them for support when needed.

The sixth cohort fellows who were selected from 160 entries across Nigeria, include: Aisha Gambo of NAN, Mary Agidi of The Hope Newspaper, Melony Ishola of Punch Newspaper, Julieth Buna of Crest FM, Chigozie Victor of Zikoko News, and Christianah Akande of Dev Reporting.

Others are Gloria Attah of Clear View TV, Dana Zagi of Daily Trust, Bilkis of Bond FM, Jemilat Nasiru of The Cable, Rasheed Iliyas of Harmony FM, and Temitope Obayendo of Pharmanews.